Bylaws of the Proteomics and Metabolomics Division

ARTICLE I. Name

The name of this organization is the Proteomics Division of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC).

ARTICLE II. Goals and Objectives

The scope of interest of the Proteomics Division is in the clinical laboratory application—including technology development and assessment, marker discovery, test validation, routine clinical use, and clinical interpretation-- of complex patterns of phenotypic expression of proteins, peptides, and metabolites. The Proteomics Division works with the National Office, Local Sections, and other Divisions of the AACC toward the following objectives within the scope of interest:

ARTICLE III. Activities

The Proteomics Division pursues the following activities in order to achieve the stated goals and objectives:

A. Distribution of information regarding new developments in diagnostic applications of proteomics. Communications will include a newsletter.
B. Development of informational content and links relating to proteomics for the AACC website.
C. Submission of programs for the Annual Meeting of the AACC.
D. Holding an annual business meeting
E. Development of or support of other educational programs of the AACC.
F. Identify opportunities for the AACC to establish liaisons

With other professional societies and regulatory agencies on issues relating to proteomics.

ARTICLE IV. Membership

Section 1. Membership in the Division is open to all AACC members in good standing who apply during annual membership renewal or in writing to the AACC Office or Secretary of the Proteomics Division and who pay the annual dues for the Division.

Section 2. Admission to the Division as a Member shall be by application either to the AACC Office or the Division Secretary.

Section 3. Privileges of membership in the Division shall be established by the Executive Committee and may include reduced registration fees for programs sponsored by the Division.

Section 4. Only Members may hold Division or committee office or may vote in elections of the Division. Only Members may represent the Division in professional matters.

Section 5. Any member may resign before end of a fiscal year by indicating to the Division Secretary or to the AACC office. No refund of Division dues shall be made.

ARTICLE V. Officers and Other Elected Positions

Section 1. Officers of the Division shall be Members in good standing of the AACC and the Division and shall consist of the Chair, Chair-Elect, Past Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2. The terms of all elected positions shall be 2 year. Terms are by the calendar year. The Secretary, Treasurer, Member-at-Large, and Members of the Nominating Committee shall not be elected for more than 2 consecutive terms to the same office. The Chair-Elect, Chair, and Past-Chair cannot serve consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 3. The Secretary and Treasurer will be elected on alternate years.

Section 4. Elections shall be by electronic means or other forms of secret ballot. The Nominating Committee will recommend potential candidates subject to approval by the Executive Committee. Elections select individuals for the positions of Chair-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Member-at-Large of the Executive Committee, and Members of the Nominating Committee,

Section 5. Duties of elected positions shall include the following:

A. Chair-Elect
1. Presides at meetings in the absence of the Chair.
2. Leads planning of programs for the succeeding year.
3. Assumes the position of Chair at end of term.

B. Chair
1. Coordinates Division activities
2. Presides at meetings of the Executive Committee.
3. Organizes the Division Business Meetings.
4. Promotes the Divisions goals and objectives.
5. Coordinates periodic and annual reports.
6. Assumes position as Past-Chair at end of term.

D. Secretary
1. Keeps minutes of all meeting of the Division and submits them for approval by the Executive Committee.
2. Provides official reports of election results.
3. Carries out correspondence of the Division as required.

E. Treasurer
1. Reviews records of all credits, debits, and balances.
2. Presents financial reports at Executive Committee and Business meetings of the Division.
3. Assist the Chair in preparing the Division's annual budget.

F. Member-at-Large
1. Serves as a voting member of the Executive Committee

G. Members of the Nominating Committee
1. Identify Division members with an interest in serving in elected positions.
2. Recommend candidates for elected positions to the Executive Committee

Section 6. Removal of members of the Executive Committee or Nominating Committee. Any member of these committees who neglects described duties and is given a no-confidence vote by a majority of the total Executive Committee shall be removed from office. The vacancy shall be filled by election at the next scheduled ballot. The Chair may appoint an interim replacement subject to the approval of a majority of the Executive Committee. Interim officers may also be appointed to complete the terms of officers who resign or are unable to complete their terms due to unexpected circumstances. In the event that the Chair is removed or unable to complete the term of office, the Past-Chair will appoint an interim Chair.

ARTICLE VI. Committees

Section 1. Executive Committee
A. Consists of the Chair, Chair-Elect, Past-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and one Member-at-Large. The Chair shall serve as chair of the Executive Committee, and shall decide any tie votes.
B. Except as otherwise specified herein, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to manage all of the affairs and assets, including finance of the Division.
C. The Executive Committee shall meet at least 2 times a year. Meetings may be held by conference call.

Section 2. Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee will consist of the Past-Chair of the Division and four elected members. Two members will be elected by the general membership in alternate years for two-year terms. No member shall serve more than 2 consecutive terms. The Past-Chair will serve as Chair of this Committee and will vote in the event of ties on votes by members.

Section 3. Other Committees or Task Forces may be appointed by the Executive Committee as considered necessary. Each committee shall continue until dissolved by the Executive Committee. Task Forces shall dissolve after one year unless continuation is approved by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII. Finances

Section 1. The fiscal year of the Division corresponds to the calendar year.

Section 2. The amount of annual dues for members shall be determined annually by the Executive Committee according to bylaws of the AACC.

Section 3. The Division has no separately owned assets. Any assets in accounts of the Division shall be returned to other accounts of the AACC upon dissolution of the Division or when requested by the AACC.

ARTICLE VIII. Meetings

Section 1. The Division will sponsor scientific sessions at the AACC Annual Meeting and other meetings when approved by the Executive Committee.

Section 2. An annual meeting for the general membership will be held each year. The Executive Committee will be responsible for planning the meeting agenda. Any business requiring vote of the membership, such as amendment of bylaws shall be conducted by polling all members by electronic means (see Article X). Minutes of the meeting will be made public.

ARTICLE IX. Publications

SECTION 1. The Division shall publish a newsletter available through the website at least twice each year. The Division may also communicate with its members by electronic mail and by postings on a Division web site. Upon approval of the Executive Committee, the Division may also publish books, articles, monographs, etc., that are appropriate to its educational mission.

SECTION 2. The Executive Committee will appoint a Newsletter Editor. The Newsletter Editor is appointed annually on a calendar year, but may serve an unlimited number of terms. The Newsletter Editor has responsibility for all aspects of the Newsletter.

SECTION 3. The Newsletter Editor shall appoint a Board of Editors to assist with the production and publication of the Newsletter.

ARTICLE X. ENACTMENT, AMENDMENT AND LIMITATION OF BYLAWS

SECTION 1. These bylaws shall take effect upon approval of 2/3 of those
members who vote on this matter within 20 days when polled by a special ballot sent to all members, with at least 25 ballots received. This and all other ballots may be by electronic means.

SECTION 2. Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by the Executive Committee, or by a proposal supported by 25 or more members by petition or electronic responses. Proposed amendments shall take effect upon approval of 2/3 of those members who vote on this matter within 20 days, with at least 25 ballots received. Amendments will be included in the next ballot for election of officers or a special ballot submitted to all members may be taken with the approval of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 3. These Bylaws shall be in subservient to the Bylaws of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, Inc. In the event of a conflict, the Bylaws of the AACC shall prevail.

ARTICLE XI. Mergers and Dissolution

SECTION 1. The Proteomics Division may merge with another division or dissolve upon approval of 2/3 of those members who cast their ballot within 20 days, with at least 25 ballots received, when all members are polled by electronic or other means.
Bylaws approved by the division membership February 2006.